Buchanan

Dates: Friday, April 27, Saturday, April 28 & Sunday, April 29 2012

History comes alive in downtown Buchanan! Stroll through Living History Camps, Sutler’s Row, Take part in a Camp Dance or period Church service and explore an Antiques, Art & Craft Show.

See the flash, smell the smoke and witness the reenactment of General McCausland and his confederate troops fighting to secure the bridge delaying General Hunters fiery Raid of the Valley. More information available at the Town of Buchanan website. You can download a flyer on the event here.

Buchanan Civil War History Weekend Schedule of Events

Hosted by the Town of Buchanan, Buchanan Special Events Committee,

Botetourt Artillery, 14th VA Cavalry Co. H Rockbridge Dragoons &

Joseph W. Anderson UDC

Friday, April 27, 2012

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Explore Living History Displaysset up on the Town Park. You are invited to sneak a peak behind the scenes. Explore living History Camps, life on the home front, Food and Cooking, Religious, Arms and Bullet Making, Camp Boredom and Prisoner of War Treatment, displays of period tents and shelter methods plus other presentations by the Botetourt Artillery, 14th VA Cavalry Co. H Rockbridge Dragoons & Joseph W. Anderson United Daughters of the Confederacy.

6:30 PM – Main Street Skirmish – Word spreads throughout the Town ofGeneral Hunter’s fiery raid on the city ofLexington and the burning of VMI. Scouts arrive in town crossing theJames River to be held back by General McCausland’s troops. Witness the chaos as cavalry arrive onMain Street where fighting breaks out near the Buchanan Theatre in the heart of the business community.

7:00 PM – Buchanan Rotary Battle of the Bluegrass Bands – Members of the Buchanan Rotary invites families to the Buchanan Theatre on Main Street for a concert featuring 5 bands. You vote for your favorite band to be the winner of the Battle of the Bluegrass Bands. Admission $15 adults, $10 students, Children $5. www.buchananrotary.org

Saturday, April 28, 2012 – Main Street Closed from Stop In to Methodist Church from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. No Parking on Main Street During This Time.

8:00am – 10:00am“Breakfast at the Historic Wilson Warehouse/Community House” Reenactors and the Public are invited to enjoy a hearty breakfast served in the same building that was used for shipping and receiving of goods during the Civil War, join us at421 Lowe Street. Breakfast is being served from 8:00am through 10:00am. General admission is $5 with all proceeds going towards ongoing maintenance of this historic Civil War Era structure.

Late 1800’s view of the Wilson Warehouse/Community House.

10:00 am – 5pm Camps Open – Enjoy a full day of family activities. Civil War Era Camps will open in the morning and remain open throughout the day. Special displays and reenactments highlight the life and times of the Civil War Era and life in Buchanan. Enjoy Guest Speakers, period music, costumed reenactors and Cavalry. Watch the chaos reenacted on Main Street throughout the day as word of eminent arrival of Hunters troops, explore Sutler’s Row on the Town Park where vendors set up to sell period wares and Farmer’s Market on Main Street.

Civil War Era Music – Enjoy period music performed on the porch of Fireside Books on Main Street throughout the day. Music is being performed by 2nd Cavalry String Band led by Olin Bare.

10:00 amOpening Ceremony – As church bells ring, Reenactors and guests will be welcomed to Buchanan’s Civil War History Weekend. The Ceremony will be held at theBotetourtArtilleryMonument which is located next to the Buchanan Presbyterian Church onMain Street. Music by Olin Bare and posting of the colors by reenactors before laying a wreath in memory of the original members of the Botetourt Artillery.

10:30 a.m. Ann Taylor Storey Time – Hear Ann describe the Yankees attack on her Main Street homeand how she read to the children to calm them. To be held in front of Eagle’s Wings Antiques on Main Street.

11:00 a.m.“Victorian Fashion Show at UDC Pavillion” – During the Civil War, women were expected to continue dressing in the same fashion as before the war despite having limited to no income. Learn how to stretch your dollars and have a period correct outfit for your activities. Held in the UDC Pavilion on theTownPark with guest speaker Debbie Sifford.

11:30 a.m.“Main Street Skirmish” – Word spreads throughout the Town of General Hunter’s fiery raid on the city of Lexington and the burning of VMI. General McCausland and his troops fight to prevent Hunter’s troops from advancing by filling the covered bridge with straw and lamp oil, setting the bridge on fire delaying the troops. Others escape to blast the hillside leading to Liberty further delaying Hunter’s Troops. Witness the chaos as soldiers fight and citizens struggle to save their homes and stores.

12:30 a.m. General Lee – Encounter General Lee as presented by David Palmer during a living history interpretation. Gen. Robert E. Lee’s character comes to life through “faith, family, duty and honor” as presented by David Palmer. You will hear anecdotal accounts of Lee’s history shedding light on Lee’s nature as a husband, father, son and leader presented using the General’s own words. Located at the General’s camp onBedford Street behind the Bank of Botetourt.

12:30 p.m.“Victorian Home from small farm to large plantation” – During the strife of war, the order of etiquette helped to hold society together. During this presentation learn about the early Victorian period household with its furnishings and things to do through the post war reconstruction period and its decor. The presentation is free. Presentation will be in the UDC Pavilion on theTownPark.

1:00pm – “Hunter’s Raid The Battle for Lynchburg” Movie being shown in the Buchanan Theatre. Admission is FREE. Copies of the movie on DVD are available.

1:00pm – Women and the Civil War – Guest speaker Sally Eades will discuss Women’s role during the Civil War. Sponsored by the Friends of the Buchanan Library and the Buchanan Town Improvement Society, this program will be held in the historic Wilson Warehouse located at 421 Lowe Street.Light refreshments served.

Book Sale and Krispy Kreme Sale – The Friends of the Buchanan Library will hold a book sale on Friday, April 27th from 9:00am – 5:00pm and Sat. April 28th from 9:00am – 1:00pm. Advance orders can be place at the Library.

2:00 p.m. Ann Taylor Storey Time – Hear Ann describe the Yankees attack on her Main Street homeand how she read to the children to calm them. To be held in front of Eagle’s Wings Antiques onMain Street.

2:30 p.m. General Lee – Encounter General Lee as presented by David Palmer during a living history interpretation of General Lee. Gen. Robert E. Lee’s character come to life through “faith, family, duty and honor” as presented by David Palmer. You will hear anecdotal accounts of Lee’s history shedding light on Lee’s nature as a husband, father, son and leader presented using the General’s own words. Located at the General’s camp onBedford Street behind the Bank of Botetourt.

11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. – Word spreads that Hunter’s Troops are marching this way after burning VMI. Local troops prepare to burn the bridge in an effort to prevent Hunter’s troops from advancing. Witness a Street Skirmish on Main Street as troops battle to secure the Town. Hunter’s Scouts ford the river upstream after McCausland and his troops has set the Buchanan Turnpike Bridge on fire destroying the bridge and approximately thirty homes and businesses. Troops Fire upon the Town spreading chaos and hitting Oak Hill, home of the Boyd family.

12:00pm – Bob Morgan – Meet Bob Morgan on Main Street near Town Hall. A soldier from southwest Virginia, Morgan fought under the command of General Jubal Early. Discover this soldiers shocking secret.

12:00 p.m. Civil War Era Jewelry– Learn about 1800’s jewelry during a presentation by guest speaker Diane DiPalma. Enjoy viewing authentic pieces covering almost 100 years of history. This presentation will take place in front of Eagle’s Wings Antiques on Main Street.

3:00 p.m. Battle of Buchanan – See the flash, smell the smoke and witness the reenactment of Confederate General McCausland and his confederate troops fighting to delay Union General Hunters fiery Raid of the Valley. As Hunter’s troops ford the river upstream, McCausland troops hold their ground. As the Buchanan Turnpike Bridge burns destroying approximately thirty homes and businesses, troops blast the mountainside blocking passage along the ridge road leading from Buchanan to Liberty. Admission by donation.

5:00p.m. Wedding on Town Park– Witness firsthand a Civil War Era wedding on the Town Park as Eric Bowers plays bagpipes and the happy couple arrive by carriage.

8:00pmCamp Dance on Town Park – Enjoy taking part in, or, just watching as musicians play period music and everyone gathers for a camp dance on theTownPark at the UDC Pavillion. Enjoy the performance of Civil War era tunes performed by local musicians. The Joseph W. Anderson United Daughters of the Confederacy will be serving refreshments. Come in period costume, or, just as you are. There will be a mix of called dances and uncalled dances. Light refreshments served. Free Admission, everyone invited to participate, or, just enjoy watching activities.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

8:00am – 10:00am“Breakfast at the Historic Wilson Warehouse/Community House” – Reenactors and the Public are invited to enjoy a hearty breakfast served in the same building that was used for shipping and receiving of goods during the Civil War, join us at 421 Lowe Street. Breakfast is being served from 8:00am through 10:00am. General admission is $5 with all proceeds going towards ongoing maintenance of this historic Civil War Era structure.

Late 1800’s view of the Wilson Warehouse/Community House.

9:00 amCamp Church Services – Public Invited! Experience a period church service as Rev. Farley portrays a 19th century, back county circuit rider. Experience a glimpse of the role of religion in the Civil War while witnessing a firsthand reenactment of troop services.

10:30am – Bob Morgan – Meet Bob Morgan at the UDC Pavillion on the Town Park. A soldier from southwest Virginia, Bob Morgan fought under the command of General Jubal Early. Discover this soldiers shocking secret.

11:30 p.m.“Victorian Home from small farm to large plantation” – During the strife of war, the order of etiquette helped to hold society together. During this presentation learn about the early Victorian period household with its furnishings and things to do through the post war reconstruction period and its decor. The presentation is free. Presentation will be in the UDC Pavilion on theTownPark.

12:00 p.m. Civil War Era Jewelry– Learn about 1800’s jewelry during a presentation by guest speaker Diane DiPalma. Enjoy viewing authentic pieces covering almost 100 years of history. This presentation will take place in front of Eagle’s Wings Antiques onMain Street.

1:30 pm Battle Of Buchanan – See the flash, smell the smoke and feel cannons roar as reenact the June 13, 1864 Battle of Buchanan. Union troops gathered on the North bank of theJames River in Pattonsburg while Confederate troops delayed Hunter’s arrival with the firing of the Covered Bridge and battle response from Oak Hill.Battle to take place on the Buchanan Town Park. Admission by donation.